Helicobacter pylori (HP) is associated with gastroduodenal disease. Although it has been reported that HP is highly sensitive to beta-lactams and macrolides, the efficacy of these monotherapies for eradicating HP is rather poor. Recent pharmacological studies have shown the effectiveness of combined therapy using PPI, antibiotics, and bismuth agents or metronidazole, but it has been known to lead to side effects and poor patient compliance. In Japan, mucosal protective agents are principally used for the treament of gastritis and gastric ulcers, and as previously reported, some mucosal protective agents, such as sofalcon and plaunotol, have anti-HP properties. Although they are not sufficiently effective to be used as monotherapy in the eradication of HP, in combination with antibiotics and PPI, eradication rates were elevated and side effects were uncommon.
Chinese medicinal formulas have been used for stomach disease in traditional Oriental medicine. The authors studied the effects of combined therapy with Omeprazole (OPZ), AMPC and Chinese medicine (Hangeshashin-to and Sanoshashin-to) instead of mucosal protective agents in the eradication of HP. The study was conducted on a total of 137 HP positive patients with endoscopic evidence of ulcers or gastritis. Dual therapy with OPZ and AMPC had a weak eradicating effect on HP (75%), but combined therapy using OPZ, AMPC and a Chinese medical formula was successful in eradicating HP in 20 out of 24 patients (85%).
The antibacterial effects of pharmaceutical preparations and crude drug extracts of Chinese medicine against HP were examined in an in vitro study. No antibacterial action against HP was demonstrated by these agents at concentrations of less than 2000μg/ml concentration. Chinese medicinal preparations should be used in combined therapy with antibiotics and PPI for optimum efficacy in eradicating HP.
This new eradication regimen including OPZ, AMPC and Hangeshashin-to is well tolerated; side effects are minimal and uncommon. This triple therapy may be useful in the treatment of HP infection, and is referred to as a “new Japanese regimen.”

PURPOSE: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, relapsing eczematous inflammatory skin disease. Mutations in the filaggrin gene (FLG) are major predisposing factors for AD. Ethnic differences exist between Asian and European populations in the frequency and spectrum of FLG mutations. Moreover, a distinct set of FLG mutations has been reported in Asian populations. The aim of this study was to examine the spectrum of FLG mutations in Koreans with AD. We also investigated the association of FLG mutations and clinical features of AD and compared the Korean FLG landscape with that of other East Asian countries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy Korean patients with AD were enrolled in this study. Fourteen FLG mutations previously detected in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese patients were screened by genotyping. RESULTS: Four FLG null mutations (3321delA, K4022X, S3296X, and S2889X) were identified in eleven patients (15.7%). The most commonly detected mutations in Korean patients with AD were 3321delA (n=6, 9.1%) and K4022X (n=3, 4.5%). FLG mutations were significantly associated with elevated IgE (≥200 KIU/L and/or MAST-CLA >3+, p=0.005), palmar hyperlinearity (p<0.001), and a family history of allergic disease (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: This study expanded our understanding of the landscape of FLG mutations in Koreans and revealed an association between FLG mutations and AD phenotype.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Causality ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Phenotype ; Skin Diseases